Although it’s a (relatively) new country, the United States has a fantastic and diverse architecture, which naturally varies from state to state. In the South you often see the grand colonial plantation homes such as Oak Alley in New Orleans; in New York and Chicago you see towering skyscrapers and magnificent townhouses built by industrialists; on the east coast there are the super-trendy mansions of celebrities that have sweeping views of the ocean, and in the central states you have rustic, sprawling ranches and country houses. Here’s our pick of the 5 best architecture experiences in the Tinggly collection right now…
Space Needle, Seattle
Seattle’s iconic Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair, and towers over the city at 184 meters. The views are, naturally, epic – you can see downtown of course, but on a clear day you’ll also see Mt. Rainier, Elliott Bay and the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. At the top of this futuristic structure you have an observation deck and also a cool revolving restaurant. As well as a visit to the top of the Space Needle, our Seattle gift experience also includes a fun guided tour of key city sights such as Pike Place Market and the world’s first Starbucks!
Atlanta Towers, Atlanta
Nicknamed the King and Queen because their white tops make them look like chess pieces, the Atlanta Towers are one of the most recognisable sights on the city skyline. Of course, when you’re viewing such tall buildings, it’s difficult to really appreciate their size from ground level, so this Atlanta gift experience features a short helicopter flight next to the towers, as well as around other city landmarks such as the Governor’s Mansion.
Mount Morris Tour, New York
Some of the Big Apple’s most handsome and distinctive architecture is found around Harlem. The 19th century homes built by residents are beautifully maintained, as are many of the famous churches here which still draw huge crowds every Sunday. We love this Harlem guided tour because not only does it include a spine-tingling church service with a gospel choir, but you also head out afterwards to one of the area’s finest local brunch spots with your guide to learn more about Harlem history.
Hoover Dam Tour, Las Vegas
The Hoover Dam, constructed in the 1930s close to Las Vegas, is one of the planet’s greatest engineering marvels. This immense wall of concrete is among the biggest sightseeing attractions in Nevada, and our Hoover Dam tour for two illuminates the story behind its construction, with behind-the-scenes visits of the generator room and other sections. You’ll also get some entrancing views of Lake Mead, created by the dam and the largest reservoir in the country when full.
Oak Alley Plantation, New Orleans
Fancy a slice of authentic Southern hospitality? Oak Alley is surely one of Louisiana’s most beautiful former mansion houses. The stately home is now open to the public as an educational experience, so with this New Orleans plantation tour you can wander through the cypress trees on the bank of the Mississippi, and learn about its fascinating, sometimes unpleasant history with an expert guide.